October 9 was the World Day against the Death Penalty 2014, and on that day, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association highlighted its continued opposition to the death penalty in every respect.{{more}}

“The St Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association continues to call for abolition of the death penalty because we consider capital punishment cruel, inhumane and an irreversible action that violates the basic right to life and human dignity. Death penalty cannot erase or reverse the crime it seeks to punish nor mitigate the victim’s loss. Capital punishment is an archaic form of punishment introduced for slaves. Why should we still be embracing relics of slavery today?” a release from the organization said.

“The St Vincent Rights Association joins the rest of the World in celebrating the 12th World Day against the Death Penalty. Our focus should always be on stopping crime, not lives and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association is committed to our view that the death penalty should not be used against persons with mental illness or intellectual disabilities.

“We are a people of grace, not vengeance; let us focus today on healing lives, families and bringing about a more peaceful and gentle society where we CARE, and DON’T KILL.”